Ramp-type apparatus for disconnecting and storing a flexible starter bar

ABSTRACT

A ramp-type apparatus for disconnecting and storing a flexible starter bar of a continuous casting machine. The ramp is formed of long and short sections. The long section is supported at a fixed angle on two carriages, whereby the ramp can move transversely of the casting machine to get it out of the way. The short section is hinged to the long section and suspended from one of the carriages. Hence only the short section need be raised and lowered to disconnect or charge the starter bar.

United States Patent [191 Hofmann et al.

[ RAMP-TYPE APPARATUS FOR DISCONNECTING AND STORING A FLEXIBLE STARTER BAR [75] Inventors: Gottfried Hofmann,

Lutzelfluh-Goldbach, Switzerland; George J. Wagner, N. Fayette Township, Pa.

[73] Assignee: United States Steel Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa.

[22] Filed: Oct. 19, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 298,886

52 us. C1. 164/282 [51] Int. Cl B22d ll/08 [58] Field of Search 164/274, 282, 82, 283 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,351,124 1l/l967 Hess 164/274 3,446,270 5/1969 Michelson... 164/274 X 3,542,118 11/1970 Rossi 164/274 all 1 1 July 16, 1974 Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-John S. Brown Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Walter P. Wood [5 7] ABSTRACT A ramp-type apparatus for disconnecting and storing a flexible starter bar of a continuous casting machine. The ramp is formed of long and short sections. The long section is supported at a fixed angle on two carriages, whereby the ramp can move transversely of the A casting machineto get it out of the way. The short section is hinged to the long section and suspended from one of the carriages. Hence only the short section need be raised and lowered to disconnect or charge the starter bar.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUHEIW 3.823.763

SHEET 2 OF 2 RAMP-TYPE APPARATUS FOR DISCONNECTING AND STORING A FLEXIBLE STARTER BAR in readiness to begin the next cast. Starter bars may be either rigid or flexible. A flexible bar usually is disconnected following. a straightener, which removes a curved set from the casting. The straightener follows a curved roll-rack, which guides the casting as its direction of travel changes from vertical to horizontal. A ramp-type disconnect apparatus includes a ramp which -is hinged on a horizontal axis and diverts the starter bar up its length. When the leading end of the casting arrives at the entry end of the ramp, the ramp is raised about its hinged connection to lift the starter bar away from the casting. Examples of previous ramp-type apparatus are shown in Hess U.S. Pat. No. 3,351,124, Greenberger U.S. Pat. No. 3,433,287, and Bollig et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,620. An object of our invention is to provide an improved ramp-type apparatus for disconnecting and storing a flexible starter bar, which apparatus is of simplified construction and operation compared with previous apparatus of this type. A more specific object is to provide an improved apparatus of the foregoing type in which we support the main portion of the ramp rigidly, and hinge only'a short section at the entry end to divert the starter bar up the ramp. i

A further object is to provide an improved combination of casting machine and ramp-type apparatus which enables a flexible starter bar to be disconnected, stored nected from the leading end of the casting and stored and returned to service for another cast expeditiously and with a minimum of movement of parts.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partly diagrammatic side elevational view of a portion of a continuous-casting machine equipped with our disconnect and storing apparatus for the starter bar positioned for storing the starter bar;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a safety device preferably embodied in the apparatus; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view on a larger scale 0 the front or lower end ofthe hinged short section ofthe ramp positioned to divert the starter bar.

FIG. 1 shows a portion of a continuous-casting machine which includes a curvedroll-rack 10, a flexible zontal roll-rack can be replacedwith a simple runout conveyor.

The horizontal roll-rack 14 used with our apparatus has a relatively short section 20 which is hinged at its exit end on a horizontal axis indicated at 21. Below the hinged section is a pit 22 in which is located-a doubleacting fluid-pressure cylinder and piston 23 connected with the section for raising and lowering it. In its raised position, the hinged section is aligned with the remainder of the horizontal roll-rack for guiding and confining the casting in a straight horizontal path. Preferably the entry end of the hinged section is positively supported in its raised position on a tapered key 24 operated by a double-acting fluid-pressure cylinder 25. The key rides on rails located outboard of the hinged section and it can be retracted to allow the hinged section to move between its raised position and its lowered position within pit 22. Two top rolls 15a at the entry entry end of the hinged section can be lifted readily therefrom, as with a lifting device 26, to avoid interference with the straightener 13 when the section is raised or lowered. The two rolls 15a are journaled in a common chock. One of the rolls 15a is directly over the last bottom roll of the straightener 13 and the other is directly over the first bottom roll of the hinged section 20.

There is of course sufficient clearance between parts at the bottom of the straightener and hinged section to avoid interference.

Our apparatus for disconnecting and storing the starter bar comprises a ramp formed of long and short sections 29 and 30. The long section 29 includes a straight rigid frame 31 and a plurality of idler rollers 32 journaled to theframe. We suspend the front end of frame 31 from a carriage 33 and support the back end from underneath on a carriage 34. The long section slopes upwardly at a fixed angle above the horizontal roll-rack 14. The short section 30 includes a frame 35 and a plurality of idler rollers 36 journaled to the frame. We suspend frame 35 from a cable 37, the upper end of which we attach to an arcuate guide segment 38 pivoted to carriage 33. Carriage 33 carries a doubleacting fluid-pressure cylinder and piston 39 which we connect to segment 38 for raising and lowering the short section 30. The carriages 33 and 34 have wheels 40 which ride on transverse rails 41 for moving the ramp away from the casting machine. Carriage 34 has a drive motor 42 operatively connected with the wheels thereon.

We mount ,a hoist drum 45 and a drive motor 46 therefor on frame 31 of the long ramp-section at the upper or front end thereof. Drum 45 carries a cable 47 which we attach to the leading end of the starter bar 12 for pulling the bar up the ramp or for letting it down to charge it into the casting machine to begin a new cast.

As a safety feature', -we preferably. mount a dog 48 on the long ramp-section near the upper end thereof (F IG. 2). In its voperative position the dog projects between links of the starter bar to prevent it from accidentally becoming loose and falling down the ramp. The dog carries a ratchet segment 49 engagedby a releasable pawl 50 for noramlly holding it in its operative position.

The upper face of the hinged section 20 of the horizontal roll-rack carries a stand 52 located immediately behind the readily removable rolls 15a (FIG. 3).'We pivot a guide plate 53 to stand 52. Torsion springs 54 urge the plate downwardly about its pivot. When'we move the hinged section 20 to its lowered position, the edge of the guide plate contacts the last bottom roll 55 ramp-section 30, its frontend rests on stand 52,

whereby the starter bar 12 can ride smoothly up or down the guide plate and ramp. in the interest of clarity, we have omitted any showing of the stand and guide plate from the diagrammatic view of FIG. 1.

In operation, at the beginning of a cast, rolls, 15a are removed, and the hinged section of the horizontal roll-rack and the short ramp-section 30 both are lowered. In its lowered position the short ramp-section is aligned with the long section. The starter bar 12 is diverted up the guide plate 53 and ramp, as already explained. When the leading end of the casting arrives, we lift the hinged section 20 and short ramp-section 30 to disconnect the starter bar from the casting in the known manner. As long as the starter bar is connected to the casting, the rolls which propel the casting automatically also propel the starter bar. After the starter bar is disconnected, we use the cable 47 and its hoist drum 45 to pull the starter bar up the ramp. This cable can remain attached to the starter bar at all times. Thereafter we replace the rolls 15a. If desired, we can move the ramp on its rails 41 away from the horizontal roll-rack, and thus store the starter bar fully out of the way. We perform'the foregoing steps in reverse order to charge the starter bar back into the machine to begin the next cast.

From the foregoing description, it is seen that our invention affords a simple ramp-type apparatus for disconnecting and storing a flexible starter bar, yet having the bar readily available when needed. A feature of particular advantage is that only a short section of the ramp is hinged. The major portion of the ramp is fixed to its supporting carriages. Consequently we need to lift only a relatively small piece as we disconnect the starter bar.

-'We claim:

l. The combination, with a continuous-casting machine which includes a curved roll-rack for guiding a casting as its direction of travel changes from vertical to horizontal, a straightener following said curved rollrack, a horizontal roll-rack for receivinga casting following said straightener and having series of top and bottom rolls for confining the casting, and a flexible starter bar which precedes the casting through said curved roll-rack and straightener as a casting operation gets underway, of an improved apparatus for disconnecting and storing said starter bar, said apparatus comprising:

' A ramp located above said horizontal roll-rack and being formed of short and long sections; means rigidly supporting said long section at a fixed angle sloping upwardly with respect to said straightener; the short-section of said ramp being hinged to the long section thereof for movement between a lowered position for diverting said starter bar up the ramp and a raised position allowing the casting to move onto said horizontal roll-rack; means on the supporting means of said long section suspending said short section and for moving said short section between said positions; and hoist means on said long section attached to said starter bar for pulling it up the ramp after it is disconnected from the casting; said horizontal roll-rack including a section hinged on a horizontal axis, and means for moving said hinged section between a lowered position allowing the short section of said ramp to be moved to its lowered position, and a raised position in which the hinged section is aligned with the remainder of said horizontal roll-rack;

two of the top rolls at the entry end of said horizontal roll-rack being readily removable to allow said hinged section to move to its lowered position without interference from said straightener.

'2. Thecombination, with a continuous-casting machine whichincludes a curved roll-rack for guiding a casting as its direction of travel changes from vertical to horizontal, a straightener following said curved rollrack; a horizontal rollrack for receiving a casting following said straightener and having series of top and bottom rolls for confining the casting, and a flexible starter bar which precedes the casting-through said curved roll-rack and straightener as a casting operation getsunderway, of an improved apparatus for disconnecting and storing said starter bar, said apparatus comprising: i

a ramp located above said horizontal roll-rack and being formed of short and long sections;

means rigidly supporting said long section at a fixed angle sloping upwardly with respect to said straightener;

the short section of said ramp being hinged to the long section thereof for movement between a lowered position for diverting said starter bar up the ramp and a raised position allowing the casting to move onto said horizontal roll-rack;

means on the supporting means of said long section suspending said short section and for moving said short section between said positions; and hoist means on said long section attached to said starter bar for pulling it up the ramp after it is disconnected from the casting; 1 said horizontal roll-rack including a section hinged on a horizontal axis, means for moving said hinged section between a lowered position allowing the short section of said ramp to be moved to its lowered position and a raised position in which the hinged section is aligned with the remainder of said horizontal roll-rack, and retractable means for posit'ively supporting said hinged section in its raised position.-

3. The combination, with a continuous-casting machine which includes a curved roll-rack for guiding a casting as its direction of travel changes from vertical to horizontal, a straightener following said curved rollrack, a horizontal rollrack for receiving a casting following said straightener and having series of top and bottom rolls for confining the casting, and a flexible starter bar which precedes the casting through said curved roll-rack and straightener as a casting operation getsunderway, of an improved apparatus for disconnecting and storing said starter bar, said apparatus comprising:

a ramp located above said horizontal roll-rack and being formed of short and long sections;

means rigidly supporting said long section at a fixed angle sloping upwardly with respect to said straightener;

the short section of said ramp being hinged to the long section thereof for movement between a low ered position for diverting said starter bar up the .7 ramp and a raised position allowing the casting to move onto said horizontal roll-rack;

means on the supporting means of said long section suspending said short section and for moving said short section between said positions; and

hoist means on said long section attached to said starter bar for pulling it up the ramp after it is disconnected from the casting;

said horizontal roll-rack including a section hinged on a horizontal axis, means for moving said hinged section between a lowered position allowing the short section of said ramp to be moved to its lowered position and a raised position in which the hinged section is aligned with the remainder of said horizontal roll-rack, and a guide plate mounted on the top of said hinged section cooperable with the short section of said ramp to direct said starter bar onto said ramp.

4. The combination, with a continuous-casting machine which includes a curved roll-rack for guiding a casting as its direction of travel changes from vertical to horizontal, a straightener following said curved rollrack, means for receivng a casting following said straightener, and a flexible starter bar which precedes the casting through said curved roll-rack and straight eneras a casting operation gets underway, of an improved apparatus for disconnecting and storing said starter bar, said apparatus comprising:

a ramp located above said receiving means and being formed of short and long sections;

means rigidly supporting said long section at a fixed angle sloping upwardly with respect to said straightener, which supporting means includes a carriage from which the lower end of said long section is suspended, and a second carriage supporting the higher end of said long section from underneath;

the short section of said ramp being. hinged to the long section thereof for movement between a low ered position for diverting said starter bar up the ramp and a raised position allowing the casting to move onto said receiving means;

means on the supporting means of said long section suspending said short section and for moving said short section between said positions; and

hoist means on said long section attached to said starter bar for pulling it up the ramp after it is disconnected from the casting.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4 in which said apparatus comprises in addition transverse tracks on which said carriages ride to move said ramp away from said machine.

6. A combination as defined in claim 4 in which the means suspending the short section of said ramp includes an arcuate segment pivoted to said first-named carriage, a cable connected to 'said arcuate segment and to said short section, and fluid-pressure means for turning said arcuate segment.

7. A combination as defined in claim 4 in which said apparatus comprises in addition a dog engageable with said starter bar to prevent it from moving down said 

1. The combination, with a continuous-casting machine which includes a curved roll-rack for guiding a casting as its direction of travel changes from vertical to horizontal, a straightener following said curved roll-rack, a horizontal rollrack for receiving a casting following said straightener and having series of top and bottom rolls for confining the casting, and a flexible starter bar which precedes the casting through said curved roll-rack and straightener as a casting operation gets underway, of an improved apparatus for disconnecting and storing said starter bar, said apparatus comprising: A ramp located above said horizontal roll-rack and being formed of short and long sections; means rigidly supporting said long section at a fixed angle sloping upwardly with respect to said straightener; the short section of said ramp being hinged to the long section thereof for movement between a lowered position for diverting said starter bar up the ramp and a raised position allowing the casting to move onto said horizontal roll-rack; means on the supporting means of said long section suspending said short section and for moving said short section between said positions; and hoist means on said long section attached to said starter bar for pulling it up the ramp after it is disconnected from the casting; said horizontal roll-rack including a section hinged on a horizontal axis, and means for moving said hinged section between a lowered position allowing the short section of said ramp to be moved to its lowered position, and a raised position in which the hinged section is aligned with the remainder of said horizontal roll-rack; two of the top rolls at the entry end of said horizontal rollrack being readily removable to allow said hinged section to move to its lowered position without interference from said straightener.
 2. The combination, with a continuous-casting machine which includes a curved roll-rack for guiding a casting as its direction of travel changes from vertical to horizontal, a stRaightener following said curved roll-rack, a horizontal rollrack for receiving a casting following said straightener and having series of top and bottom rolls for confining the casting, and a flexible starter bar which precedes the casting through said curved roll-rack and straightener as a casting operation gets underway, of an improved apparatus for disconnecting and storing said starter bar, said apparatus comprising: a ramp located above said horizontal roll-rack and being formed of short and long sections; means rigidly supporting said long section at a fixed angle sloping upwardly with respect to said straightener; the short section of said ramp being hinged to the long section thereof for movement between a lowered position for diverting said starter bar up the ramp and a raised position allowing the casting to move onto said horizontal roll-rack; means on the supporting means of said long section suspending said short section and for moving said short section between said positions; and hoist means on said long section attached to said starter bar for pulling it up the ramp after it is disconnected from the casting; said horizontal roll-rack including a section hinged on a horizontal axis, means for moving said hinged section between a lowered position allowing the short section of said ramp to be moved to its lowered position and a raised position in which the hinged section is aligned with the remainder of said horizontal roll-rack, and retractable means for positively supporting said hinged section in its raised position.
 3. The combination, with a continuous-casting machine which includes a curved roll-rack for guiding a casting as its direction of travel changes from vertical to horizontal, a straightener following said curved roll-rack, a horizontal rollrack for receiving a casting following said straightener and having series of top and bottom rolls for confining the casting, and a flexible starter bar which precedes the casting through said curved roll-rack and straightener as a casting operation gets underway, of an improved apparatus for disconnecting and storing said starter bar, said apparatus comprising: a ramp located above said horizontal roll-rack and being formed of short and long sections; means rigidly supporting said long section at a fixed angle sloping upwardly with respect to said straightener; the short section of said ramp being hinged to the long section thereof for movement between a lowered position for diverting said starter bar up the ramp and a raised position allowing the casting to move onto said horizontal roll-rack; means on the supporting means of said long section suspending said short section and for moving said short section between said positions; and hoist means on said long section attached to said starter bar for pulling it up the ramp after it is disconnected from the casting; said horizontal roll-rack including a section hinged on a horizontal axis, means for moving said hinged section between a lowered position allowing the short section of said ramp to be moved to its lowered position and a raised position in which the hinged section is aligned with the remainder of said horizontal roll-rack, and a guide plate mounted on the top of said hinged section cooperable with the short section of said ramp to direct said starter bar onto said ramp.
 4. The combination, with a continuous-casting machine which includes a curved roll-rack for guiding a casting as its direction of travel changes from vertical to horizontal, a straightener following said curved roll-rack, means for receivng a casting following said straightener, and a flexible starter bar which precedes the casting through said curved roll-rack and straightener as a casting operation gets underway, of an improved apparatus for disconnecting and storing said starter bar, said apparatus comprising: a ramp located above said receiving means and being formed of short and long sections; means rigidly suppOrting said long section at a fixed angle sloping upwardly with respect to said straightener, which supporting means includes a carriage from which the lower end of said long section is suspended, and a second carriage supporting the higher end of said long section from underneath; the short section of said ramp being hinged to the long section thereof for movement between a lowered position for diverting said starter bar up the ramp and a raised position allowing the casting to move onto said receiving means; means on the supporting means of said long section suspending said short section and for moving said short section between said positions; and hoist means on said long section attached to said starter bar for pulling it up the ramp after it is disconnected from the casting.
 5. A combination as defined in claim 4 in which said apparatus comprises in addition transverse tracks on which said carriages ride to move said ramp away from said machine.
 6. A combination as defined in claim 4 in which the means suspending the short section of said ramp includes an arcuate segment pivoted to said first-named carriage, a cable connected to said arcuate segment and to said short section, and fluid-pressure means for turning said arcuate segment.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 4 in which said apparatus comprises in addition a dog engageable with said starter bar to prevent it from moving down said ramp. 